Aerospace
From gaskets and O-rings to complex composite seals, aerospace sealing solutions continue to evolve and adapt to meet the rigorous demands of modern aviation.
Aerospace sealing solutions play a crucial role in the aviation industry, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of aircraft. These innovative systems are designed to maintain the integrity of various components, such as fuel and hydraulic systems, engines, and cabin interiors, under extreme conditions. Aerospace sealing solutions are engineered to withstand high temperatures, pressure differentials, and vibrations, while also providing resistance against fluids, gases, and environmental factors. The development of advanced sealing materials and technologies has significantly improved the reliability and performance of aerospace systems, contributing to enhanced safety, reduced maintenance, and increased operational efficiency. From gaskets and O-rings to complex composite seals, aerospace sealing solutions continue to evolve and adapt to meet the rigorous demands of modern aviation.
Sealing applications in the aerospace industry:
Engine Sealing - Hydraulics, Lubrication, Fuel System Seals, Connectors.
Landing Gear Assembly Sealing - Hydraulics, Wheel & Brake, Actuator.
Flight Control Sealing - Hydraulics, Fuel Pump, Controls, Lines, Auxiliary Power Units Seals (APU), Connectors.
The most commonly used material for aerospace seals is PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene). One of the benefits for using PTFE is its extreme low friction level. This is because PTFE can be used in applications without any lubricant, also known as dry-running, as the material itself is self-lubricating. PTFE also does not have a bad stick-slip problem. Because of these properties it means that the application will require less torque and power to operate fully while also increasing the efficiency of the application.
Another reason PTFE is so widely used in this industry is because of its brilliant performance in some extremely harsh environments. To begin with PTFE has an impressive temperature range, with it being able to withstand a continuous operating temperature of 260°C (500°F) all the way down to cryogenic temperatures of -240°C (-400°F). At the extreme high temperatures it will be able to keep stable, while when its at extreme low temperatures it will retain its flexibility.
Aerospace seals will also have to operate while being under an extreme amount of pressure, this means that the seal could be working in environments of anywhere between 20,000 PSI all the way to working in a vacuum. PTFE is a brilliant material used for this kind of environment as it can hold its compressive strength very well, while also being able to add fillers for the more extreme high pressure applications.
Of all the polymers that are available in the market today, PTFE is one of the most chemically compatible materials. It will not contaminate any of the sensitive media in the application as well as it being a non-soluble material. This makes PTFE the best option as it will come into contact with de-icers, jet fuels, hydraulic fluids and cleaning agents.